NCJ Number
189863
Date Published
1998
Length
239 pages
Annotation
This book examined the emotional abuse of women, specifically the high-functioning woman, from both intrapsychic and interpersonal perspectives to help therapists understand and diagnose women who have been emotionally abused.
Abstract
In the exploration of the many faces of abuse, it was discovered that there was probably as many variations of abuse as there were abusers and victims. In order to focus on the typology and description of women who stayed with male abusers, five different kinds of male abusers within specific diagnostic categories (narcissistic abuser, borderline abuser, passive-aggressive abuser, obsessive-compulsive abuser, and schizoid abuser) were defined. For each type of abuser the following was examined: (1) the nature of the disorder; (2) the defenses employed; (3) the typology of women involved and their diagnostic distinctions; (4) how the “dance” of emotional abuse was played out in accord with the couple’s desire for intimate attachment; (5) case illustrations; and (6) treatment suggestions. In this examination, there were common themes played out to some degree or another by each type of couple: (1) an indifference toward the partner’s suffering; (2) an intolerance of dependency needs of both self and other; and (3) a grandiose sense of entitlement characterized by withdrawal, unavailability, and aloofness. Characterological traits, behaviors, and archaic conflicts were explored within the five specific diagnostic categories to understand couples’ underlying defenses, the most prevalent were splitting and projection. The chapters explored the nature and conflicts of the high-functioning woman and examined in-depth the primitive aspects of her psyche that ensnared her in the vicious cycle of emotional abuse. In addition, the influence of gender identification and cultural factors were investigated. Throughout, the pivotal contributions of known theorists were discussed to see how both intrapsychic and interpersonal approaches were useful in understanding and treating emotional abuse, especially with high-functioning women. This book’s intention was to provide a clear understanding in order for professionals to treat the emotionally-abused. References and index